Someone has said: “I think I’m a pretty patient guy — that is, until I have to wait for something!”

Sad but true, patience (waiting) does not occupy the top rung on our ladder of priorities. Waiting is not a virtue our society seems to favor. We live in a world of frozen dinners, instant coffee, instant cameras, instant grits, instant oatmeal, freeway express lanes, cellphones, iPads, pagers, and beepers. Our motto has become: Give it to me right now or I don’t want it!

There are many kinds or types of waiting: waiting for the right job; expectant mothers wait nine months for birth; waiting for the “right” moment; teenagers can hardly wait until they can drive; or waiting and wondering if you’re stuck in the quicksand of complacency.

Very few of us like to wait because it starkly reminds us that we are not in control — and we don’t like not being in control. We don’t like waiting in traffic, in line at the grocery store, at the airport, and forbid it not when our computers don’t work fast enough.

In the life of a Christian, however, the discipline of waiting is one of the prerequisites of being a committed follower of Jesus Christ. The Bible is replete with examples of the principle of waiting being required or commanded. David admonishes us to “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. …” Job proclaimed that he would “… Wait until his change occurred; Isaiah advances that those who wait upon the Lord will receive special blessings from God for strength and perseverance in their trials. Jesus requested his disciples to tarry (wait) in the city of Jerusalem until they were imbued with power from on high.”

Let us be clear, however, that waiting is not the absence of movement! Waiting is not delay! Waiting is preparation! Waiting on God does not mean sitting around doing nothing; it means doing what we can, while we can, as best we can, always being careful not to run ahead of God.

God often withholds the answer until the blessing becomes of secondary importance. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “He rewards those who sincerely seek him.” God rewards those who desire his fellowship more than his favors. And, perhaps there are times when God must wait until we are mature enough to handle the blessing, and uses delays to strengthen our character. Moreover, during your “season of waiting,” remember that God’s timing is perfect and his delays are redemptive.

Perhaps I may be speaking to someone who is waiting on God right now and you are asking: As a child of God what should I do? I would advise that as a believer, just continue to believe, exercise your faith and be totally submissive to his will, and do it with a smile. This will glorify your father and will prepare you for whatever is to come.

The best way to get ready for tomorrow is to do God’s will today. Don’t fret against the Lord. Don’t panic; don’t take matters into your own hands. Do your duty each day as a Christian ought. God is not irresponsible; he always works all things toward a goal; and he is working through your problem to work towards the goal he has set for your life. And we know that all things work together for good that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

And above all else, his grace is still sufficient!

Written by Rev. Farrell Duncombe Pastor at St. Paul

Here’s a word of encouragement for you, Joel Osteen talks to you about Waiting With Expectancy on God no matter what!